[Unhealthy] Addiction [Indulgence]

I was teasing the boys (workers) around lunchtime about whether they were being suicidal when I noticed each of them had a bottle of an energy drink that is rumored to be the number one cause of kidney problems among consumers in the region. They laughed guiltily and reasoned that they needed it to level up their energy, especially when work is at its peak. It is understandable when they consume it occasionally, but it is worrying when they *almost* cannot function without it. Addiction? Dependency? I'm not sure. But I do know some people who triumphantly avoided it from the moment they decided never to have anything to do with it again, and I laud them for their discipline. Then it hit me, don't I have a sugar addiction? I indulge in sweets almost every day. Feeling hungry, I munch on half a bar of chocolate. Stressed, I eat a whole. Bored, I take a small bite. No matter my mood, there's ice cream, cookies, chocolate candies, M&Ms, and such.

It's a family influence that started when I was very young, 5 or 6 years old. Mom always had sweets (Choc Nuts, etc) at home. She even adds them whenever she makes pancakes or sticky rice snacks. And when I started grade school, my best friend had a sweet tooth too, and we often spent our break time at her mother's clinic, where we were given a bar (or two) of Snickers. From then on, my love for sweets stuck with me, even after many years. **Guilty pleasures?** Yes, when they are taken in moderation. But I think it is much more than that in my case. Thankfully, my recent blood chemistry test result indicated my sugar levels are in the normal range. My good habit of drinking enough water every day helped (maybe). But for how long? It's crazy how we indulge in things, even when we are aware they are detrimental to our health. While I consciously add healthier snacks like fruits (usually pears, bananas, or apples), my consumption of sugary treats is still questionable. *Luckily,* my metabolism seems to be working normally. I'm not gaining any additional weight, although sometimes, my energy level seems to crash quickly, and I feel tired easily. Giving up chocolates or sweets isn't an option for me, but I know in my heart that if I truly want to be in the healthy zone, I will have to cut back on my consumption and enjoy them only as an occasional treat, not a daily indulgence. That's a challenge, but I'm willing to take it.